GERMAN CRUISER EMDEN

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 45, 28 June 1929, Page 6

GERMAN CRUISER EMDEN

VISITORS PLEASED WITH RECEPTION. FRIENDLINESS APPRECIATED. AUCKLAND, June 27. "Our sailors have found it glorious !to be in Auckland," said an officer of the Emden this morning. '"'The I men," he said, "are very pleased at the reception they have met with everywhere in the town. They have been invited to many housos" and taken aut to a number or dances." "We all feel happy at the' good relations that have been established," said another officer, speaking in perfect English.. "Our mission, was.- to establish if possible good relations between our nation and the rest of the world, and everything that lias happened so far has been in that direction. Politicians," :he added with' a smile, "often make speeches 5 that do not help to cement friendship, .and it is most gratifying to us on' visiting your country to find that the people we have met are putting the war behind them and helping to build up a spirit of peace and goodwill." The'officer went on to relate howr a party of officers were accosted by a local resident in Queen Street, who stopped his motor-car nnd invited the strangers to his home. They accepted and were given an excellent time.

' The cruiser is being repainted quickly im Calliope Dock, and tomorrow- 'it is Hoped to berth her ;'at Central Wharf. The weather' conditions' 'have? been most unfavourable, but the crew aire working hard under adverse conditions to make the warship, spic and span for public inspection.

There is a general feeling that the crew.are a quiet" and well-behaved body of men. British ratings are fraternising with " 'the German visitors and inviting them, to their canteen,, as well as to places of amusement in the city. This friendlmess is greatly appreciated by the Commander and officers of tho Eniden. A special reception to representatives of the Press will' be held on board the Emden next Monday at 3.45 p.m. The Commander of 'the Eniden and hid A.D.O:, the Minisrer of Internal Affairs, and Lieut-Colonel Duigan visited the Jubilee Institute for'the Blind yesterday. The Emden's Commander expressed astonishment at the steps taken to educate the blind. He issued ah invitation to the Workers at* the institute'to visit the "Emden oir Monday morning, when he would have special officers told off to show them 'QVei' the vessel. The Commander and his A.D.O. both received mementoes of the visit in the shape of ' waste-paper He ishooiC hands with several returned soldiers.